Any dealers in DC area allowiing test drives?

[mudd1011]

Seriously considering getting an RS3, but really want to test drive one before committing. Has anyone had any luck test driving one at any of the DC/VA/MD Audi dealers?

Thanks

[hilltop804]

Can you find one that isn't already sold? I'm in MD and all of the ones I've seen that have arrived in the last few weeks have been sold before they hit the lot. I was able to test drive one a few months ago that had been sitting for a few weeks, so I think you might have some luck that way. I think Tysons Audi might have a nardo one that's available, but that dealership is trash and the sales people are inconvenienced by your presence, so they might not let you drive it.

[theskunk]

Welcome to take mine for a spin.


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[S3DUDE]

I guess it depends on the dealer and also on availability. I purchased about 12 cars from a dealer brand here in Tucson, I purchased from their Mercedes, their Audi and their VW dealer owned by the same company and they literally let me drive anything that I want new or used as long as it fits my budget. Although they don't give me the keys of an R8 or a Turbo S but they know me for over a decade and they know that I buy lots of cars all the time so like I said they are reasonable and typically I can drive any car as long as I am serious about cars which I always am. Sometimes the dealer even let me take a car home (demo car). I know the managers and we have excellent rapport.

As far is the RS3 that I just purchased? I am the first and only person to buy an RS3 from my local dealer. They haven't sold one yet (except mine) and I took the first allocation. I gave them a deposit so that I could take the allocation.

[itskeyes]

there's 2 at audi rockville, including a viper green.

[theskunk]

I guess it depends on the dealer and also on availability. I purchased about 12 cars from a dealer brand here in Tucson, I purchased from their Mercedes, their Audi and their VW dealer owned by the same company and they literally let me drive anything that I want new or used as long as it fits my budget. Although they don't give me the keys of an R8 or a Turbo S but they know me for over a decade and they know that I buy lots of cars all the time so like I said they are reasonable and typically I can drive any car as long as I am serious about cars which I always are. Sometimes the dealer even let me take a car home (demo car). I know the managers and we have excellent rapport.

As far is the RS3 that I just purchased? I am the first and only person to buy an RS3 from my local dealer. They haven't sold one yet (except mine) and I took the first allocation. I gave them a deposit so that I could take the allocation.

This. I’ve been with the same dealer for 10 years, and the same dealer family for 15. I did put a deposit down on the first allocation they had back in March of 17 for an October delivery, but they still let me have an S3 for a bit to know what the car would be like space wise, and let me try on a B9 S4, too.


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[S3DUDE]

^^ You and I have a similar way of approaching the dealers. Once you have established a dealer/buyer solid relation you are considered a premium customer. I bring lunch to my salesman, bring small gifts to the parts technician and service advisor. They treat me very well and I treat them well. I would expect no less than a test drive on a car that I can afford. I also brought them tons of customers (some direct family members). WIN-WIN situation is you are a long time loyal customer.

[theskunk]

FWIW, my dealership, as they didn’t have any, set up two potential RS3 customers to go for a ride with me at VIR last December. Both had a deposit before they even got off track property...


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[arrrrrs4]

There is a used one at an Audi dealer in Richmond, VA. Probably have decent luck with them letting you drive that one.

[theskunk]

There is a used one at an Audi dealer in Richmond, VA. Probably have decent luck with them letting you drive that one.

I think I know that car - it was with me at VIR in December - Make sure you get the front brake pads inspected and/or replaced... ;)

[mudd1011]

thanks everyone and especially theskunk. (I don't think I would want to test drive anyone's car, (I'd be too nervous and I'm sure you would be too!)but certainly wouldn't mind a ride in one)

I saw the Nardo at Audi Tysons, the sales lady said they could make a special exception and let me test drive the car with the sales lady in it around the block! I laughed at that.

This is what Audi Rockville said to me in an email from yesterday:

"You would need to come by to sit down with one of our Audi Brand Specialists. We could get you a test drive on an S3 to get you a look and feel for the car,then discuss purchase options, and once we have everything set, we'd get you the test drive just to make final sure " --- so basically I have to go through the process of almost buying the car - ridiculous.

Audi Chantilly has a fully loaded one on the showroom, but they of course won't let me test drive it. The guy there suggested I pay $2000 (or whatever it was) and go to Austin to drive an RS3 around the track at Circuit of the Americas. lol

I do understand it to a point, I mean I wouldn't want to buy an RS3 that has been test driven, because I'm sure it was probably driven hard, but at the same time it's a big investment and I need to know if it's worth it to me. I think I've seen every RS3 youtube video out there and everyone seems to love it. I guess my main concern is how much the lag is from low rpms. Top end power and pull is great and all, but I won't be tracking it and as my new daily driver, I want to know if it's responsive enough from a stop to quickly change lanes if I have to make an exit at last minute, merge on to a busy road, etc. I think I have to personally experience that as no video is going to show me that.

Too bad they don't have demos of these cars.

[theskunk]

thanks everyone and especially theskunk. (I don't think I would want to test drive anyone's car, (I'd be too nervous and I'm sure you would be too!)but certainly wouldn't mind a ride in one)

I saw the Nardo at Audi Tysons, the sales lady said they could make a special exception and let me test drive the car with the sales lady in it around the block! I laughed at that.

This is what Audi Rockville said to me in an email from yesterday:

"You would need to come by to sit down with one of our Audi Brand Specialists. We could get you a test drive on an S3 to get you a look and feel for the car,then discuss purchase options, and once we have everything set, we'd get you the test drive just to make final sure " --- so basically I have to go through the process of almost buying the car - ridiculous.

Audi Chantilly has a fully loaded one on the showroom, but they of course won't let me test drive it. The guy there suggested I pay $2000 (or whatever it was) and go to Austin to drive an RS3 around the track at Circuit of the Americas. lol

I do understand it to a point, I mean I wouldn't want to buy an RS3 that has been test driven, because I'm sure it was probably driven hard, but at the same time it's a big investment and I need to know if it's worth it to me. I think I've seen every RS3 youtube video out there and everyone seems to love it. I guess my main concern is how much the lag is from low rpms. Top end power and pull is great and all, but I won't be tracking it and as my new daily driver, I want to know if it's responsive enough from a stop to quickly change lanes if I have to make an exit at last minute, merge on to a busy road, etc. I think I have to personally experience that as no video is going to show me that.

Too bad they don't have demos of these cars.

Honestly, the 2.5 has enough low end torque such that you don't notice the "spool" so much on factory parts - start adding intercooler and what not, the lag gets a *little* worse just because of the extra volume where boost has to build. What I will say is that the transition into boost is very smooth.

[PowerStroke]

I hear ya, Mudd. I think the best advice is to just email/call a bunch of dealers, as far as you are willing to go, and see if you can get a test drive. These things seem really dealer-dependent. I randomly went to an Audi dealer in December to talk to them about the RS3. The SA casually mentioned they had one on the lot that a buyer had backed out on because of a delay, and they let me test drive that one, that day (even in the middle of winter with the summer tires on it). Not sure why they are giving you such a hard time at that first place.

[Rs3nardo]

as my new daily driver, I want to know if it's responsive enough from a stop to quickly change lanes if I have to make an exit at last minute, merge on to a busy road, etc. I think I have to personally experience that as no video is going to show me that.

Too bad they don't have demos of these cars.

I'm trying to imagine needing to quickly change lanes from a stop to take an exit at the last minute.

[motopix]

Your concerns about merging and accelerating are unwarranted. How many other cars on a metro area commute can do a sub 4 second 0-60? There is turbo lag if you plant your foot from 2k rpms. But the 2.5 revs quickly and you'll soon be past 3k with boost building until it starts howling at 3800rpm. Or be in a lower gear and it's not an issue.

Drive down to Richmond to test drive that used one if you don't want to take a local up on the offer. Rockville's plan of trying an S3 isn't a bad one and I appreciate them doing some screening before letting just anyone test drive and RS3. I was less than enthused about Chantilly's entire purchase process but the service has been good so far.

[mudd1011]

I think it's awesome that theskunk offered to let me, a total stranger, drive his RS3. I'd definitely take him up on at least a ride in it.. I'm thinking that I wouldn't be too comfortable driving anyone's car hard unless it was one at the dealership, so it wouldn't be a meaningful test drive, however, I certainly wouldn't mind if he did a proper drive of the car for me.

As for quickly getting over from a stop to an exit, there is an area on Rt 50 in Chantilly, VA that soon after a stop light is the exit to rt 28 to Dulles Airport. And right before that exit is another traffic light. Because usually the right and sometimes middle lanes are full of slow trucks and people turning right at that second traffic light, that second traffic light turns red on me. Because I have no patience for that nonsense, I like to stay in either the left or middle lane at the first light and then get over as quickly as possible to make the exit without being a douchebag and cutting people off.

[noswalz]

I got lucky. I went back last August to test drive one that was on the lot and the SA did the whole S3 deal to me but took me for a ride in the rs3. Fast forward to early this year around February there was a random nice day about 50 degrees and that same car (2017) was still on the lot and he let me test drive it and I was sold from there. I didn't end up going with that dealership for my order because I found another one that gave me a better deal and the original dealer and Sales manager flexed his ego. Even though he agreed to match the way he went about it put me off. I was like you though... i wasn't going to order until I test drove one. Trust me, you'll love it. My current dealer was going to let me test drive too but the car on their lot sold just before I had the chance.

[speeddemon69]

Worried about accelerating from a stop to pass before merge? No worries here’s a step by step process to success:

1. Engage Dynamic mode

2. Make sure you put transmission in sport mode or manual mode. Verify RPMS are at 1.1k in idle.

3. Traction control in sport

4. Brake pedal down to floor and gas pedal as well till rpms around 3.5k

5. Let go of brake pedal and hold on!

6. Then Pass everyone you needed and even some you didn’t and hopefully you didn’t pass the exit, then you smile as the adrenaline is making your heart beat faster and your thoughts race and then you question yourself was i driving a supercar? No its an RS3.

7. Breath again and let heart beat go back to normal levels and resume driving as the adrenaline fades away.

8. Extra step get tuned to do all of the above better and stronger. Bring new underwear and some baby wipes.


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[WhiteShadow89]

thanks everyone and especially theskunk. (I don't think I would want to test drive anyone's car, (I'd be too nervous and I'm sure you would be too!)but certainly wouldn't mind a ride in one)

I saw the Nardo at Audi Tysons, the sales lady said they could make a special exception and let me test drive the car with the sales lady in it around the block! I laughed at that.

This is what Audi Rockville said to me in an email from yesterday:

"You would need to come by to sit down with one of our Audi Brand Specialists. We could get you a test drive on an S3 to get you a look and feel for the car,then discuss purchase options, and once we have everything set, we'd get you the test drive just to make final sure " --- so basically I have to go through the process of almost buying the car - ridiculous.

Audi Chantilly has a fully loaded one on the showroom, but they of course won't let me test drive it. The guy there suggested I pay $2000 (or whatever it was) and go to Austin to drive an RS3 around the track at Circuit of the Americas. lol

I do understand it to a point, I mean I wouldn't want to buy an RS3 that has been test driven, because I'm sure it was probably driven hard, but at the same time it's a big investment and I need to know if it's worth it to me. I think I've seen every RS3 youtube video out there and everyone seems to love it. I guess my main concern is how much the lag is from low rpms. Top end power and pull is great and all, but I won't be tracking it and as my new daily driver, I want to know if it's responsive enough from a stop to quickly change lanes if I have to make an exit at last minute, merge on to a busy road, etc. I think I have to personally experience that as no video is going to show me that.

Too bad they don't have demos of these cars.

I hear ya man. You don't have to worry about the RS3 though when it comes to lag. Being the proud own of one, the lag that the RS3 has is pretty minimal. The RS3 has plenty of low end torque, and it revs very quickly. Merging highways, stepping out onto a busy road and etc are all a breeze for the RS3. I actually just posted up a review of the RS3 vs S4 on here because I know trying to find an RS3 that is: 1. Not sold and 2. Available to test drive is very difficult so I sympathize with your struggles to do a real test drive. Sadly, Audi dealers are aware that RS3's are low volume, hard to find, and they can move them very quickly. If I were you I would take Audi of Tysons Corner up on their offer before that nardo grey RS3 is gone. As crappy as it sounds to be limited to around the block (a few miles) it is better than nothing, and you will be able to find out a lot about the RS3 in a short period of time. If you are willing to cut a deal the same day I am sure that once you are behind the wheel you can "miss a few turns" to extend your drive, or the sales person will be a little more lenient. End of the day the dealer wants to make sure you are dead serious about buying one from them. I feel you though, it is frustrating trying to find an RS3 that you are allowed to test drive when the car is so expensive. Seems that the more exclusive, or expensive a car gets the less likely you are to drive one which can be frustrating.

[hilltop804]

Don't worry about the "lag". If you're at a stoplight and step on it, you can be at least a bus length ahead before anyone else even makes it through the intersection.

Tysons Audi and Rockville Audi both have terrible sales teams, so they're really gonna bust your balls before they let you test. (Hell, the guy at Tysons wouldn't even let me test drive an S3 when I was shopping for that. He just flat told me I couldn't afford it and that I should look at an A3). I did my test drive at Audi of Arlington, but I buy my cars at Audi Silver Spring. Unfortunately, none of the dealerships in the area that I've had good experiences with have any stock.

[kashakrs3]

You guys have it rough. I've been to 3 dealerships and all of them offered me a test drive before we even started talking about my purchasing options.

[mudd1011]

Did you like Audi of Silver Spring? I've gone to Audi Tysons, Chantilly, Rockville, Bethesda. Either way, at this point, I figure I'd wait to see if any option packages/wheel changes happen when they release the 2019 MY order guide.

From everyone's reviews and videos, I'll most likely get one anyway. Still having trouble reconciling the fact that I may have to get rid of my beloved b7 Avant as I don't have a need for three cars...Of course, if I had a three car garage....

[theskunk]

Worried about accelerating from a stop to pass before merge? No worries here’s a step by step process to success:

1. Engage Dynamic mode

2. Make sure you put transmission in sport mode or manual mode. Verify RPMS are at 1.1k in idle.

3. Traction control in sport

4. Brake pedal down to floor and gas pedal as well till rpms around 3.5k

5. Let go of brake pedal and hold on!

6. Then Pass everyone you needed and even some you didn’t and hopefully you didn’t pass the exit, then you smile as the adrenaline is making your heart beat faster and your thoughts race and then you question yourself was i driving a supercar? No its an RS3.

7. Breath again and let heart beat go back to normal levels and resume driving as the adrenaline fades away.

8. Extra step get tuned to do all of the above better and stronger. Bring new underwear and some baby wipes.


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you forgot step 7.5: stop giggling like a 5 year old and resume composure

[theskunk]

I think it's awesome that theskunk offered to let me, a total stranger, drive his RS3. I'd definitely take him up on at least a ride in it.. I'm thinking that I wouldn't be too comfortable driving anyone's car hard unless it was one at the dealership, so it wouldn't be a meaningful test drive, however, I certainly wouldn't mind if he did a proper drive of the car for me.

Let's be clear - you're an Audi enthusiast. You clearly get "it", and I'd be in the car with you. As for a ride - just let me know. I Just got off 95 @ Aquia from the traffic hell that is there and was in comfort mode almost the whole drive home from Philly today - I had several low RPM pull-into-traffic opportunities. Was it the low end from my tuned S4? not quite. Did I hesitate because that low end lack disappeared within a half second or so? nope. Do I even think about the lag at this point? not until you brought it up! :)

[theskunk]

Also - I'd encourage anybody/everybody to reg for the track night in america at Dominion on Thursday the 17th - I'd love to have a TON of RS3's there to compete with the sheer number of S2k's that show up.... :)

PM me for more details on that - it's an afternoon/evening event... 125.00 with coupon. I'll be there running Intermediate or Advanced (whichever is lighter on cars)

[joe biker]

RS3 Test drives are impossible
I had one dealer let me drive one two blocks.
I put almost 100 miles on before I bought my 18 S4
I have a used car dealer south of me with a used RS3 I might show up there in the S4 to con a test ride.


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[el_zorro]

Audi of Tysons allowed me to test drive mine before buying. It was in their showroom and took time to move other cars just to let me drive it.

Audi of Chantilly - well, they suck.

[mudd1011]

wow. Did you basically say you were going to buy it if you liked the test drive? Did you get to go on a real test drive, or just around the block?

[hilltop804]

Did you like Audi of Silver Spring? I've gone to Audi Tysons, Chantilly, Rockville, Bethesda. Either way, at this point, I figure I'd wait to see if any option packages/wheel changes happen when they release the 2019 MY order guide.

From everyone's reviews and videos, I'll most likely get one anyway. Still having trouble reconciling the fact that I may have to get rid of my beloved b7 Avant as I don't have a need for three cars...Of course, if I had a three car garage....

Do it. I firmly believe that this is one of the best cars (per dollar) on the market for everything you get.

And, I do, I go there for everything even though I live a mile away from Rockville Audi (where I had terrible experiences there for both sales and service). I also had the aforementioned bad experience at Tysons.

[mudd1011]

yep, audi Tyson's blow..that's actually where I bought the manwagon back in good ol' 2005. Yes, I am an old man now. Will check out Audi Silver Spring. thanks

[dv/dt]

It's a 4-ish hour drive depending on exactly where you're at, but Audi Raleigh has four RS 3s on their website and Audi Cary has two. I had no problem getting a test drive at Audi Raleigh before I bought mine.

[mikedYEG]

I cancelled an order over not being able to take my daughter out in the dealer demo. 6 months later bought a higher spec off the other dealers showroom floor instead. Edmonton Alberta. Two words: go north.


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[WhiteShadow89]

Also - I'd encourage anybody/everybody to reg for the track night in america at Dominion on Thursday the 17th - I'd love to have a TON of RS3's there to compete with the sheer number of S2k's that show up.... :)

PM me for more details on that - it's an afternoon/evening event... 125.00 with coupon. I'll be there running Intermediate or Advanced (whichever is lighter on cars)

I won't be able to make it this time, but after I get a couple more thousand miles on my RS3 I am down to join. Are there any coming up in the future?

To the OP? When you asked the dealerships to test drive did you state that you planned to buy the car you were driving? Hopefully you have some luck and get to drive one soon!

[mudd1011]

No I didn't, maybe that was a mistake. I want to order my car as I don't really care for the fully loaded ones they usually have. For example, not a fan of the black or titanium blades with the Daytona gray, which is the color I want (Personally think the all silver wheels look best with that color). Was thinking of getting Dayton Gray, standard square wheel setup with black calipers (not a fan of the red with the Daytona gray),silver front grill (like the contrast with the gray), technology package (want the VC), still debating the Driver's Assistance...Think the ACC would be cool (assuming I can force myself to let the car computer take over) but from an aesthetic view, I prefer the grill without the radar box.

Would love to have the sport exhaust, but again, don't want everything else that comes with that package, so I would just get stock exhaust and then upgrade to AWE or something similar.

so, yeah, saying I want to buy a different car most likely hurt my chances to test drive the one they have.

[theskunk]

I won't be able to make it this time, but after I get a couple more thousand miles on my RS3 I am down to join. Are there any coming up in the future?

Yes - I've got a thread over in the regional forum for mid-atlantic where I'm trying to keep up with these events.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...erica-Dominion

Get yourself subscribed and I'll keep posting the ones that i'm participating in. Unfortunately for me, weekends are difficult, so I try my best to aim for weekday's where I can just take an afternoon off/etc.